{"id":25964,"date":"2026-02-20T14:06:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T12:06:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/?p=25964"},"modified":"2026-02-26T13:39:59","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T11:39:59","slug":"ecthr-interim-measures-amka-refugee-greece","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rsaegean.org\/en\/ecthr-interim-measures-amka-refugee-greece\/","title":{"rendered":"ECtHR interim measures secure access to medication for recognised refugee with serious health condition and inactive AMKA in Greece"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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ECtHR interim measures secure access to medication for recognised refugee with serious health condition and inactive AMKA in Greece\n<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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On 19 February 2026, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) issued interim measures in the case of Zakiya*, a young recognised refugee from Syria, to prevent interruption of urgent medication and treatment necessary for her survival. Zakiya* suffers from a disability and a serious chronic condition that render access to medication vital.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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She has received hospitalisation and medication at an Athens hospital since the fall of 2024, following her arrival in Greece with members of her family. The impossibility to obtain an active AMKA after she obtained refugee status and a residence permit put her life at imminent risk until the Court\u2019s recent intervention.<\/span><\/p>

After Zakiya* received refugee status and a residence permit from the Greek Asylum Service, the Provisional Health Care and Insurance Number (PAAYPA) she held as an asylum seeker was deactivated, and an active Social Security Number (AMKA) was required for her to continue receiving daily medication as part of her treatment.<\/span><\/p>

However, Zakiya* was unable to obtain an active AMKA, as such activation requires a work contract or recruitment certificate. Zakiya* is unable to obtain either due to her serious chronic health condition. Whereas European Union and Greek law entitle recognised refugees to equal treatment to Greek nationals as regards health care, <\/span>domestic regulations on AMKA<\/span><\/a> offer an active AMKA to third-country nationals – such as Zakiya* – only upon condition that they have secured employment and hold a work contract or an officially uploaded recruitment certificate from an employer. <\/span>These documents are not required from Greek nationals or EU citizens. <\/b>This <\/span>impermissible discrimination<\/span><\/a> against refugees remains in force to date, despite repeated interventions from the European Commission, the Greek Ombudsman, and civil society. In addition, measures introduced by a recent <\/span>Ministry of Health circular<\/span><\/a> to allow refugees to access health care without an active AMKA have not worked in practice, as it is <\/span>impossible to obtain the required documents<\/b> cited in the circular.<\/span><\/p>

These legislative barriers have led Zakiya*, like many other refugees, to an <\/span>impasse with dire consequences for her life and health<\/b>. Despite having followed a maze of procedures before different services, Zakiya* only found a solution to her predicament after approaching the ECtHR. Refugee Support Aegean (RSA) is legally representing Zakiya* and undertook the necessary legal steps to secure continuation of her treatment from the outset. <\/span>The Court issued a binding interim measures decision requiring the Greek authorities to guarantee Zakiya* uninterrupted prescription and access to the necessary medication for her survival.<\/b><\/p>

This development is a vital safeguard for Zakiya* and a stark reminder of the <\/b>chronic, systemic barriers<\/b><\/a> faced by people granted protection in Greece, with direct repercussions on their health and life.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Timeline<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Timeline of efforts by Zakiya* and her RSA lawyers to ensure continuation of her treatment:<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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